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RDI Certified Consultant, Sue SimmonsThe following article by Sue Simmons, was originally published
Every child is born with the innate drive to be social, and relate to others. So why do children with ASD have such difficulty in this area? The answer, of course, is due to their neural makeup. This innate drive may sometimes be masked in ASD children, but believe me, it is there and can be tapped into - read on!Children with ASD literally miss early, critical steps of development due to their atypical brain “wiring”. This means that they are deprived of the developmental foundations that are necessary for all further cognitive and social development.
In plain language, early development is essential for children to learn the subtleties of nonverbal communication, the ability to understand others’ feelings and develop resilience. So just how do these interpersonal skills develop? You guessed it - through simple, play-like interactions between parents and child.
In an RDI Program parents are coached to bring about their child’s desire and capacity for connection - in a slow, steady and developmentally sequenced fashion. Initially, they learn to engage the child at his or her level. Through staying “one step ahead” of their child’s thinking, they are coached to bring him or her to the point where genuine, reciprocal interaction is enjoyable and emotionally satisfying. The child’s need for control diminishes, and is replaced by a desire to communicate in a genuine and reciprocal fashion!
I work with several families that have two children - in many cases, the older sibling is on the autism spectrum, and the younger child is unaffected. For me, this offers a huge benefit. Why? It enables me to point out to parents how they relate to their typically developing child - and how in turn that child relates to them. It enables them to observe cognitive skills in their younger child, which in many cases we are working toward in their ASD child. In essence, the younger child serves as a “model” and allows parents to experience what they’re looking for in their ASD child.
Much like building a muscle, building a child’s capacity and desire for connection requires dedication, patience and time, but it is entirely possible. In fact, once families get to a certain point where their child is happier and engaging regularly, I need to remind them to think back to when that was only a pipe dream! It’s so easy to forget how challenging things were once life is easier and crisis is in the past.
One thing I know for sure is that real, lasting and mind-boggling shifts are entirely possible for these kids and their families. I am constantly “raising the bar” with my families, encouraging them to expect more! Gone are the days when the best we can expect is to shape behaviours in order to prevent a child from “sticking out.” These kids can be brought to a point where they are successful active social participants and problem solvers - and then some!
Does this mean that their brains really can be rewired? Yes, it does! A rigorous year-long study involving 50 families of ASD children done at York University in Toronto proved it. The study used an intervention known as “Floortime” which like RDI, is a developmentally based program involving parents. Researchers saw dramatic changes both in the “wiring” of the brain, and social capacity after one year of treatment. So what, you ask, is the difference between Floortime and RDI? Along with the connection that is developed through Floortime, RDI goes further and enables parents to guide their child’s cognitive development. It is also woven into each family’s lifestyle in a custom manner.
One of the biggest challenges (and gifts) for families I work with is slowing down... slowing their pace of life and communication, and carving out time to be with their child. Is it worth it? When I hear stories about happy family vacations, unexpected hugs and I love you’s, simple yet profound moments, peaceful walks - I have to say - yes, it certainly is.
To view a CBC News story on the York University study noted above, click here.
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Sue Simmons, P.B.H.E.
Certified RDI® Program Consultant and Family Coach
Equinox Autism Consulting Ltd.
99 Lakeside Drive
Ennismore, ON
Phone: 705.875.4605
Email: equinox@bell.net
Website: www.equinoxac.ca
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| RDI Certified Consultant, Sue SimmonsThe following article by Sue Simmons, was originally published |
Children with ASD literally miss early, critical steps of development due to their atypical brain “wiring”. This means that they are deprived of the developmental foundations that are necessary for all further cognitive and social development.
In plain language, early development is essential for children to learn the subtleties of nonverbal communication, the ability to understand others’ feelings and develop resilience. So just how do these interpersonal skills develop? You guessed it - through simple, play-like interactions between parents and child.
In an RDI Program parents are coached to bring about their child’s desire and capacity for connection - in a slow, steady and developmentally sequenced fashion. Initially, they learn to engage the child at his or her level. Through staying “one step ahead” of their child’s thinking, they are coached to bring him or her to the point where genuine, reciprocal interaction is enjoyable and emotionally satisfying. The child’s need for control diminishes, and is replaced by a desire to communicate in a genuine and reciprocal fashion!
I work with several families that have two children - in many cases, the older sibling is on the autism spectrum, and the younger child is unaffected. For me, this offers a huge benefit. Why? It enables me to point out to parents how they relate to their typically developing child - and how in turn that child relates to them. It enables them to observe cognitive skills in their younger child, which in many cases we are working toward in their ASD child. In essence, the younger child serves as a “model” and allows parents to experience what they’re looking for in their ASD child.
Much like building a muscle, building a child’s capacity and desire for connection requires dedication, patience and time, but it is entirely possible. In fact, once families get to a certain point where their child is happier and engaging regularly, I need to remind them to think back to when that was only a pipe dream! It’s so easy to forget how challenging things were once life is easier and crisis is in the past.
One thing I know for sure is that real, lasting and mind-boggling shifts are entirely possible for these kids and their families. I am constantly “raising the bar” with my families, encouraging them to expect more! Gone are the days when the best we can expect is to shape behaviours in order to prevent a child from “sticking out.” These kids can be brought to a point where they are successful active social participants and problem solvers - and then some!
Does this mean that their brains really can be rewired? Yes, it does! A rigorous year-long study involving 50 families of ASD children done at York University in Toronto proved it. The study used an intervention known as “Floortime” which like RDI, is a developmentally based program involving parents. Researchers saw dramatic changes both in the “wiring” of the brain, and social capacity after one year of treatment. So what, you ask, is the difference between Floortime and RDI? Along with the connection that is developed through Floortime, RDI goes further and enables parents to guide their child’s cognitive development. It is also woven into each family’s lifestyle in a custom manner.
One of the biggest challenges (and gifts) for families I work with is slowing down... slowing their pace of life and communication, and carving out time to be with their child. Is it worth it? When I hear stories about happy family vacations, unexpected hugs and I love you’s, simple yet profound moments, peaceful walks - I have to say - yes, it certainly is.
To view a CBC News story on the York University study noted above, click here.
- - - - - - - -
Sue Simmons, P.B.H.E.
Certified RDI® Program Consultant and Family Coach
Equinox Autism Consulting Ltd.
99 Lakeside Drive
Ennismore, ON
Phone: 705.875.4605
Email: equinox@bell.net
Website: www.equinoxac.ca